Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities
This creative guidebook teaches librarians in diverse communities how to develop and implement early learning programming beyond traditional storytimes.

While traditional library storytimes are excellent tools for families, equally important is play. Children learn through play in many ways; it stimulates exploration and curiosity and builds gross and fine motor skills that are critical to reading and writing success. Perhaps most importantly, play has the power to cross barriers of culture and language, allowing families from differing backgrounds to learn together.

In this book, Kristin Grabarek and Mary R. Lanni—the pioneers of Little University, an early learning program that focuses on play-based learning—share their experiences and provide guidance for implementing similar programs at libraries of various sizes and budgets. They teach readers how to create programs for a diverse group of families, work with outside providers, choose supplies, estimate costs, market your programming, and overcome the challenges of both big and small budgets and many or few patrons. These practical plans will enhance storytimes and even help build a brand-new early learning program.
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Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities
This creative guidebook teaches librarians in diverse communities how to develop and implement early learning programming beyond traditional storytimes.

While traditional library storytimes are excellent tools for families, equally important is play. Children learn through play in many ways; it stimulates exploration and curiosity and builds gross and fine motor skills that are critical to reading and writing success. Perhaps most importantly, play has the power to cross barriers of culture and language, allowing families from differing backgrounds to learn together.

In this book, Kristin Grabarek and Mary R. Lanni—the pioneers of Little University, an early learning program that focuses on play-based learning—share their experiences and provide guidance for implementing similar programs at libraries of various sizes and budgets. They teach readers how to create programs for a diverse group of families, work with outside providers, choose supplies, estimate costs, market your programming, and overcome the challenges of both big and small budgets and many or few patrons. These practical plans will enhance storytimes and even help build a brand-new early learning program.
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Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities

Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities

Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities

Early Learning through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities

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Overview

This creative guidebook teaches librarians in diverse communities how to develop and implement early learning programming beyond traditional storytimes.

While traditional library storytimes are excellent tools for families, equally important is play. Children learn through play in many ways; it stimulates exploration and curiosity and builds gross and fine motor skills that are critical to reading and writing success. Perhaps most importantly, play has the power to cross barriers of culture and language, allowing families from differing backgrounds to learn together.

In this book, Kristin Grabarek and Mary R. Lanni—the pioneers of Little University, an early learning program that focuses on play-based learning—share their experiences and provide guidance for implementing similar programs at libraries of various sizes and budgets. They teach readers how to create programs for a diverse group of families, work with outside providers, choose supplies, estimate costs, market your programming, and overcome the challenges of both big and small budgets and many or few patrons. These practical plans will enhance storytimes and even help build a brand-new early learning program.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798216076780
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date: 03/13/2019
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 180
File size: 2 MB
Age Range: 7 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kristin Grabarek implemented Little University, an early learning program beyond traditional storytime, at her branch of the Denver Public Library system and is now assisting in its expansion to multiple branches throughout the system.

Mary R. Lanni is a library professional in Denver, Colorado, providing library and programming services for all ages for more than five years.
Mary R. Lanni, MLIS, is a professional librarian in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is co-author of Early Learning Through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities (Libraries Unlimited, 2019). Lanni's career has focused on early literacy, and she is currently entering her second term as a member of the steering committee of the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy. She has presented at several state-level conferences.

Table of Contents

One Introduction
What Is Early Learning?
Public Library's Role in Early Learning
Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR1 and ECRR2) @ Your Library
About Us
Learning through Play
How Play Supports the Rest of ECRR2
Participants in a Traditional Storytime
In Defense of Storytimes
A Play-Based Learning Alternative
In Summary
Two Creating an Early Learning Program Series
Original Creation of Play-Based Early Learning Programs
Little University: A Note on Kristin's Library Community
Family Literacy: A Note on Mary's Library Community
Considerations for Creating Play-Based Programs in Your Library
Cultural Awareness
Marketing
Word of Mouth
Print Collateral
Following Up
Scheduling
Building a Core Group of Participants
How to Structure the Program Series
How the Program Supports Social-Emotional Skills
The Importance of Learning Together
One Last Note
In Summary
Your To-Do List
Three Implementing the Program Series with a Budget
The Conundrum of Free Things
Your Program Series Reflects Your Community
How to Approach Community Partners
Developing Programs with Community Partners
Movement Programs
STEM Programs
Art Programs
Health and Nutrition Programs
Wellness Programs
In Summary
Your To-Do List
Four Early Learning Programs for Tiny or Nonexistent Budgets
Tiny Budgets as an Opportunity
DIY Programming Examples and Resources
Movement Programs
Art and Craft Programs
Community Programs and Destination Storytimes
STEM Programs
Wellness Programs
Language and Cultural Programs
In Summary
Your To-Do List
Five Conclusion
Where We Are Now
Maintaining Relevance
What to Do Next?
Looking Ahead: How to Continue Building Your Program
Early Learning Progress Report
Surveys and Incentives
Little University for Grown-Ups
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Graduation
In Summary
Appendix A: Elevator Speeches
Appendix B: Need to DIY? Twenty Titles to Build an Early Learning Program Series Reference Collection
Appendix C: Program Flyer Template
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Laura Olson

"Are you looking to launch a play-based early learning program at your library or simply add a few extension activities to storytime? This book offers many inexpensive and innovative ideas with step-by-step instructions. Whether you are an experienced program librarian or new to youth services, you can easily bring thoughtful and intentional playtime to your community’s young families."

Mary Stansbury

"Joyfulness, insight, compassion, and dedication are the terms that come to mind after reading Early Learning through Play. As a guide for librarians, this book is more than just a recipe or handbook; it is an inspiring and pragmatic approach to the public librarian’s role of nurturing the love of reading and play in all communities and with a respect for cultural differences."

Brittany R. Jacobs

"To play is serious business, and the cognitive implications that come along with it are far-reaching and key elements to a successful transition into the formal realm of education in the classroom. Not only have Kristin Grabarek and Mary R. Lanni created a tool that will impress upon librarians the science behind and the need for play-based learning, but they have gone so far as to create a detailed list of potential programs to implement in the library setting and beyond. This book is nothing short of a revolutionary tool that will educate, inspire and equip librarians to level-up their programming and make an even bigger difference in the communities in which they serve."

Betsy Diamant-Cohen

"This book is a terrific new resource for play-based programming. Since children learn best through play, and play is an Every Child Ready to Read best practice, this comprehensive book is invaluable for children’s librarians. Play-based rather than reading-based, these inventive and entertaining programs are recommended as an addition to traditional storytimes rather than as a replacement. They are designed to appeal to all audiences including wiggly children, immigrant and refugee families, grandparents, children with special needs, dads, affluent parents, working parents, engaged parents, and families living in poverty. This wonderful resource fills a need for children’s librarians who seek to continue the democratic mission of the public library."

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